Northeast Glacial Lakes Watershed Improvement & Protection Project

Water Development and Fencing for Grazing Management Improvements and Riparian Area Protection

 

Cost share is available for implementing new or additional sources of water for livestock to improve grazing management or to replace natural sources of water like streams, wetlands, or lakes that are to be protected by riparian buffers. The project will cost share below and above ground pipelines, wells, dugouts, nose pumps, stock watering tanks, connection to rural water systems, and alternate energy sources like wind and solar powered systems. Project grants will pay thirty-percent (30%) of the cost of materials for general livestock needs and fifty-percent (50%) for riparian protection. The landowner/producer must pay a minimum of thirty-percent (30%) of the practice cost for general livestock needs and twenty-five percent for riparian protection. A grazing management plan is required with all water development improvements. Cost shares can be increased by combining Northeast Glacial Lake Watershed grants with US Fish and Wildlife Service's "Partners in Wildlife" funds which would require the producer to enter into a cooperative agreement with USFWS as well as the sponsoring Conservation District.

 

Prescribed Grazing

 

Conservation Practices for Grazing Grasslands

 

Stock Ponds

Cost share is available for new stock ponds.  Ponds cannot be placed in creek bottoms and must be fenced on a minimum of three sides.  It is highly recommended producers completely exclude livestock from ponds and utilize nose or solar pumps and stock tanks to pump and store water from the pond for livestock watering. These practices prolong the ponds life and will improve a ponds water quality and general livestock health. Stock ponds typically cost $2,500 to $3,000.00 to construct.

Stock Watering Tanks

Cost share is available for several types of tanks including freeze-proof, steel rimmed tire, and fiberglass. Tanks are sized according to the number and type of livestock to be serviced by the facility. Cost share is based on the capacity in gallons the tank will hold and the type of tank installed.

Nose Pumps

Nose pumps can be cost shared when used as an alternate water source in conjunction with riparian buffers or stock ponds. One nose pump per 20 head is recommended by most manufacturers, however locally we have had better success by providing two pumps per 20 head. Nose pumps require no electrical hook-up and are able to pull water a distance of 200 feet with a vertical lift of 21 feet making them ideal for use along the shores of streams and lakes.

Wells

Cost share is available for new wells; however wells can only be used to provide water for livestock needs.  Alternative energy sources that include solar, wind, and propane generators can also be cost shared.  Cost for new wells based on recent projects typically run $2,300.00, solar pumping stations around $5,000.00 and propane generators $3000.00. 

Pipelines

The project will cost share above ground, shallow and deep buried pipeline to transport water to stock watering tanks from wells and rural water hook-ups. Cost share is based on the type and size of pipeline installed.

Fencing

Cost share to cross fence existing pastures to improve grazing management, implement grazing on retired CRP acres, or exclude livestock from riparian areas along streams, wetlands, and lakeshores is available. New perimeter fencing can be funded if "Partners for Wildlife" funds are available; however this cost share requires the operator enter into an cooperative wildlife agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.